Family fights cops after knives nixed at fun park

Five members of a Vermont family assaulted police officers during a melee that erupted when security guards at a New Hampshire amusement park told them to leave their knives in the car.
(Photo: AP)

SALEM, N.H. – Five members of a Vermont family assaulted police officers during a melee that erupted when security guards at a New Hampshire amusement park told them to leave their knives in the car, police said Tuesday.

The fracas started at about 1:30 p.m. Monday when the Perry family tried to enter Canobie Lake Park in Salem. Some of the family members had knives on their belts and were told they couldn’t bring them into the park, police said.

The family became belligerent and eventually two Salem officers responded to quell the disturbance. The family became more irate, yelling profanities at the officers in front of other visitors, police said.

After several verbal warnings, an officer told one man he was under arrest and tried to handcuff him, leading to the fight that included people jumping on the backs of the officers, punching, kicking and grabbing for their weapons, police said. Two officers were injured, including one who was treated at a hospital for a dislocated shoulder.

As backup officers arrived, the mother of the family faked a seizure, police said. She was examined by paramedics and released at the scene.

Those arrested included Joshua Perry, 23, of Sutton, Vermont, who was charged with felony riot, resisting arrest with serious injury, trespassing and disorderly conduct. Brian Perry, 18, of Lyndonville, was charged with felony riot, assault and resisting arrest. E. Allan Perry, 45, of Lyndon, was charged with felony riot, felony assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. All three were held on $10,000 cash bail, assigned a public defender and scheduled to return to court on June 25.

Damian Perry, 18, of Lyndonville, was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. Ashley Perry, 20, of Sutton, was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. Each was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. It could not immediately be determined if they had lawyers.